DIY Shark T-Shirt: Using an EZScreen Stencil & a Paper Cutout Mask

DIY Shark T-Shirt: Using an EZScreen Stencil & a Paper Cutout Mask 🦈👕

Looking for a fun and creative way to make your own custom T-shirts? This project combines hand-drawn designs, DIY stencils, and a little shark-themed flair! I made this shark T-shirt using an EZScreen stencil and a simple paper cutout—and the process was way easier (and more fun) than you might think.

Here's how I did it:

🖍 Step 1: Draw Your Pattern Design

First, I grabbed a transparency sheet and drew my pattern of lines directly onto it using a black paint marker (I like this brand). This design would become the fill texture inside the shark silhouette.

☀️ Step 2: Create the EZScreen Stencil

Next, I paired my drawn transparency with a blank EZScreen, clipped them together, and set them outside in direct sunlight for 60 seconds. After exposing, I soaked the screen in cool water and gently rinsed away the unexposed emulsion to reveal my custom stencil. Just like that—I had a reusable screen printing stencil ready to go! For a more detailed tutorial on making the stencil, click here!

✂️ Step 3: Cut Out the Shark Silhouette

To create the shark shape, I sketched a shark on a sheet of paper with pencil and carefully cut it out using an X-Acto knife. This will act as a masking layer to keep the pattern inside the shape.

🧼 Step 4: Position Your Cutout

I gave the back of the paper shark a light mist of tacky spray adhesive and placed it on the shirt where I wanted the design to go. The tacky spray held it perfectly in place without damaging the fabric.

🎨 Step 5: Print the Pattern

With the paper cutout in place, I laid my EZScreen stencil directly over it. Using a squeegee, I applied fabric ink and pulled it across the stencil, pushing the ink through onto the shirt. The paper cutout underneath prevented ink from hitting the area outside of the shark shape.

✨ Step 6: Peel & Reveal!

Time for the best part—the reveal! I carefully peeled away the stencil and then the paper cutout to unveil my shark silhouette, filled with the hand-drawn line pattern. It turned out even cooler than I expected!

This was such a fun way to combine freehand art with screen printing, and I love how you can use this method to turn a cool pattern into a fun print—so many creative possibilities ahead!

Got an idea for a shape you'd like to try this with? Let me know in the comments below, and stay tuned—I've got more of these projects lined up!

Want to try it yourself?
Grab an EZScreen Starter Kit and some fabric ink, and let your creativity swim free! 🦈

#DIYScreenPrinting #SharkShirt #EZScreenPrint #CraftyProjects #TShirtMaking #StencilArt #PrintAtHome #FabricPrinting